Is remote desktop over the internet secure?

I have two Windows Vista Machines that I use to connect to one via Remote Desktop Connection. I use to use Quick VPN with my WRVS4400N Linksys router until it became unreliable. I have setup port forwarding to my desktop computer through this router. I can now connect to this computer by using my ISP assigned address remotely through the internet. How secure is this compared to me connecting with my Linksys Quick VPN, when it was working? What should I be worried about connecting to my computer remotely in this way? Thanks in advance!

RDP is secure but you only have one level of protection by exposing your RDP directly to the internet. With the Quick VPN, would be hackers will need to hack another layer before being able to access the RDP login.

I would say RDP is secure, providing you have correctly set your router to expose the single port necessary and that you have only enabled limited access accounts with secure passwords.

The main issue with RDP is the fact that there is only single factor authentication as whsum suggests. I would strongly recommend implementing a VPN and then connecting to RDP using the VPN, rather than a straight connection to RDP over the web.

Actually, if you need end-point authentication for reducing MITM risks, RDP supports SSL/TLS and CredSSP.
Just make sure RDP is updated to the latest version on both the client and server end.
End-point authentication is negotiated, so if it warns you about connecting less securely, don't connect.

This feature is supported only on more recent versions, but this includes Vista so you should be fine.

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